High Stakes and High Turnout: Ludhiana West Assembly Bypoll Underway

As the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll unfolds on Thursday, a voter turnout of 21.51% was recorded by 11 am. Armed with tight security, the polls commenced at 7 am, with voting to continue until 6 pm. The seat became vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January.

With a total of 14 candidates vying for the seat, notable figures include AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora, Congress's Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and BJP's Jiwan Gupta. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged voters to participate, emphasizing the election's significance for the area's development. Sanjeev Arora led by example, visiting a gurdwara, a temple, and Dargah Pir in Phillaur before casting his vote.

To enhance voter experience, 194 polling stations offer live webcasting, secure mobile phone deposits, and real-time monitoring from the integrated command and control center. This bypoll acts as a critical test for the ruling AAP, which has campaigned vigorously to secure the seat.

(With inputs from agencies.)